By Our Reporter
The Inspectorate of Government (IG) has released its latest biannual performance report, revealing Kampala as the most corruption-prone district in the country. The findings are based on data collected between July and December 2024 and highlight disturbing trends in public sector accountability and governance.
According to the report, Kampala leads with 253 recorded corruption cases, significantly outpacing other districts. It is followed by Wakiso with 56 cases, Mbale with 44, Masaka with 34, and Mukono with 32 cases, rounding out the top five.
The IG’s assessment covered 134 districts across Uganda. While the top districts continue to grapple with systemic corruption, several districts recorded only one case each, including Buhweju, Bukedea, Kalaki, Karenga, Luuka, and Nabilatuk — highlighting regional disparities in corruption prevalence.
A Growing Challenge
During the reporting period, the IG received 1,347 corruption-related complaints, of which 1,193 were sanctioned for investigation. A total of 1,267 investigations were concluded, focusing on corruption, poor service delivery, and violations of leadership codes.
The report notes that Kampala, Wakiso, Mbale, and Mukono have remained consistently high on the corruption index over multiple reporting periods, with Kampala recording an increase in cases compared to earlier in 2024.
Emerging trends show that Masaka, Jinja, Hoima, and Lira, which had relatively clean records in previous reports, now feature prominently due to a spike in cases. Meanwhile, districts such as Mbarara, Rakai, and Kabarole demonstrated slight improvement, though corruption remains present.
Kampala’s dominant ranking is attributed to its large population, numerous government institutions, and substantial public budgets, which collectively create a fertile ground for graft.
Institutional Corruption & Financial Losses
The IG report also reviewed 18 high-profile corruption cases within ministries, departments, and government agencies. These cases involve allegations of embezzlement, abuse of office, and financial mismanagement, with the Inspectorate recommending the recovery of UGX 6.9 billion.
Institutions cited in these cases include:
- Ministry of Tourism
- Uganda Revenue Authority (URA)
- Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Ltd (UETCL)
- Electoral Commission
- Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA)
Overall, 360 corruption cases were closed in the public sector. The IG recommended the recovery of UGX 8 billion, issued 600 administrative sanctions, and referred 16 public officials for prosecution. As of the end of the reporting period, UGX 4.2 billion had been successfully recovered.
The report underscores a persistent and widespread corruption challenge within Uganda’s public institutions, particularly in urbanized and high-budget districts. The IGG’s findings are a call to action for government agencies to tighten internal controls, improve transparency, and hold corrupt officials accountable.
With corruption eroding public trust and undermining service delivery, the Inspectorate has reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying investigations and enforcing compliance across all levels of government.